Exchange Server

Scottie · Guest

All,

Are there any issues with a 4+1 node Exchange 2003 cluster using iSCSI and
NetAPP for storage? I've read there are issues with iSCSI being too slow,
etc.... having to make some caching customization on the servers.

Design includes 4+1 w/ 4SG's per Active Node. Also doing COOP/DR failover
across a 500 mile WAN link.

Thanks in Advance!!

Scott

Evan Battle · Guest

I am assuming that you will be using an appropriate number of volumes to
separate your DB's and Logs into separate volumes on the Filer. Assuming
this, you will likely run out of drive letters well before you begin building
your 4th active node.

You will definitely NOT have any performance problems, assuming the Filer
and supporting iSCSI SAN network are configured adequately. As far as
tweaking the Exchange 2003 installation, you will certainly want to follow
the guidelines that NetApp requires for hotfixes, registry settings, etc..
Also, be sure that you purchase all appropriate licenses for DR, SME,
SnapDrive, CIFS, SnapRestore (on both the source and target), SnapMirror,
etc..

Your available bandwidth between you primary and DR site will determine much
of your DR capabilities, with a 500mile span you will need to use Async.
mirroring. I have been able to achieve hourly mirrors accross a 45Mb/s pipe
with very little impact. Keep in mind that reallocating your LUN's will
cause a significant amount of data to be mirrored.

Assuming you follow best practices (don't overload you MB stores), you
should be very happy with the decision to use iSCSI/NetApp for your storage
environment.

Thanks,
Evan Battle

"Scottie" wrote:

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